Chennai Shocker: Doctor Stabbed Multiple Times by Patient’s Kin in Hospital; CM Stalin Orders Probe

Chennai: An on-duty government doctor and and associate professor at Chennai’s Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH),  was brutally attacked by a patient’s son on Wednesday. The assailant, identified as Vignesh from Perungalathur, stabbed Dr. Jagannath seven times in his neck, ear, chest, head, and abdomen, reportedly over grievances related to the treatment of his mother, Prema, who had been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer at the hospital since May.

The medical oncologist Dr. Balaji Jagannath, was attacked in the outpatient department (OPD) around 10:15 a.m. Vignesh allegedly posed as a hospital employee to gain entry, holding an outpatient pass and accompanied by three others. Witnesses reported that, after a heated argument over his mother's treatment, Vignesh locked the door to the OP room and took out a concealed kitchen knife, repeatedly stabbing Dr. Jagannath. Staff intervened, rushing Dr. Jagannath to the ICU, while hospital staff and security personnel apprehended Vignesh as he attempted to flee. Police took Vignesh and four others into custody for questioning.

An official from the hospital shared that the doctor, a heart patient who had recently undergone pacemaker surgery, experienced excessive blood loss likely exacerbated by his heart medication. Dr. Jagannath was resuscitated by a multidisciplinary surgical team, who administered two units of blood and sutured all wounds. His condition remains critical but stable, with doctors closely monitoring his recovery.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemned the incident on social media, calling it “shocking” and confirming the immediate arrest of the suspect. “I have ordered to give necessary treatment to the doctor and to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident,” Stalin stated. He further emphasized the “immeasurable, selfless service” of government doctors and vowed that the government would enhance protections to prevent future attacks.

Hospital security has come under scrutiny, with Health Minister Ma Subramanian asserting that there was no lapse, citing private guards patrolling the hospital’s interior and police guarding the exterior. However, the government has launched an inquiry into the incident.

Following the assault, the Service and PG Doctors Association condemned the violence and demanded stringent action against the attacker. In response, doctors at KCSSH initiated a flash strike, halting all non-emergency services to call for increased security measures for healthcare staff.

Dr. L. Parthasarathy, KCSSH Director, noted that Dr. Jagannath sustained multiple injuries, adding that his recovery over the next several hours will be closely monitored. This attack highlights the escalating concerns about safety for medical professionals, who have been advocating for stronger protections and laws amid a rise in violence against healthcare workers.

The incident, which took place in the outpatient department (OPD) of the Chennai hospital has raised concerns over hospital security and led to demands for stricter protections for medical professionals. The incident happened amid growing demands from doctors nationwide for stricter security measures in hospitals and stronger laws at both central and state levels to protect medical professionals. These calls for action have intensified after the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata.